Written by: Ashtyn at 3:34 pm
Filed under: Drama,Movies,Primetime,Television
Movie Info:
Writer: Norman Mailer
Director: Lawrence Schiller
Cast: Tommy Lee Jones, Christine Lahti, Rosanna Arquette, Eli Wallach, Steven Keats, Jordan Clarke, Richard Venture
Rating: Not Rated
Studio: Paramount
Release Info:
Theatrical Release: Aired on television November 28, 1982
DVD Release Date: August 5, 2008
Online Availability: Amazon
Once upon a time, movies on television sported a notable cast and they were well written. These days, the majority of television movies have become a joke, relegated to being compared to direct to DVD productions that do not have the talent or clout to stand up in the theater or as a bigger production. The Executioner’s Song was made in the 80s and offers an award-winning cast, and a true-ish (it’s important to note that this is just the fictionalized account according to Norman Mailer) story that is shocking in a number of ways.
Gary Gilmore was a complex individual. Depending on how liberal you are, you might say he was a victim of the system. I am not that liberal when it comes to crime, instead believing firmly that choice comes into play in nearly all things. The Executioner’s Song is meant to give insight into the last nine months of Gilmore’s life. This includes his time with his girlfriend Nicole Baker Barrett. It is important to mention Nicole because she plays a huge part in The Executioner’s Song.
In fact, Nicole is such a central figure in Gilmore’s final months and in this film that it is hard not to sit and wonder what has happened to her. She’s almost impossible to find, but what I did dig up (according to her) was that this movie is more fictionalized than not and that the representations of her and Gilmore are wrong. Whether that is true or not is hard for anyone to know. I did not know Gilmore personally and to my knowledge Nicole has never chosen to officially tell her side, though I could be wrong about that.
If you are into true crime movies and shows this is going to fall somewhere along the middle of the spectrum for you. Movies like Helter Skelter were better executed, but there are many reasons why this is watchable. The original television miniseries was much longer than the condensed 135 minute version that is available on this DVD. It would have been nice to see the more complete version as that would have lent to a more complete yet fictionalized (many of the events portrayed did occur) picture of the man and the events that shaped his final days.
The The Executioner’s Song Plot
The Executioner’s Song begins with Gilmore (Tommy Lee Jones) getting out of prison. At this point, Gilmore is in his 30s. He is being picked up by his cousin, Brenda (Christine Lahti), and her husband. He is ready to begin life on the outside, after being institutionalized for the better part of his life. Once out, the film shows the struggles that Gilmore must face learning how to live on the outside. He works for his uncle, though he’s not very good at it and it’s a job that leads nowhere.
He soon meets a girl that will change his life forever. Thinking that love would beat the demon, Gilmore believed Nicole Baker (Rosanna Arquette) to be his angel. Baker had been married numerous times and was just a teenager around the age of 19 when the two met and eventually moved in together. The relationship was volatile to say the least with Gilmore running hot and cold, drinking too much, having sexual problems, not making enough money, and generally living an otherwise miserable existance.
This led to the killings of two men and the subsequent death penalty charge that Gilmore requested he receive. The ACLU and his lawyers tried to make sure that he received appeals, but Gilmore requested that they stop and that the orders were acted out.
While awaiting his sentence, he continued his relationship with Nicole and even attempted to commit suicide with her prior to his time before the firing squad, or have her do it after he was gone so that they could be together.
Tommy Lee Jones offered the right brooding, cocky instability needed for a role like this. Meanwhile, Arquette did well as the unstable Baker and Christine Lahti offered the most underrated performance of her career. She did an excellent job and maintained a likability about her in a world filled with dark and loathsome characters.
Storyline/Plot: 
Replayability:
Acting: 
Directing:
Audio/Visual:
Presented in a 1.33:1 aspect ratio, The Executioner’s Song is an older movie that comes with it’s share of minor problems, but holds up relatively well otherwise. As you would expect from an older production, there are moments of grain, dirt, and noise though there is not so much of any of these things that it should be a huge distraction. The colors are generally strong, but there can be the occasional moment of softness that you need to watch out for. All in all, the visual quality is befitting of something its age and is not bad enough to cause for serious complain.
Meanwhile, the audio is fairly standard in a Dolby Digital 2.0 track. Things sound rather monotone, but this is an older track so I suppose that is to be expected. While somewhat flat, the track did not require any volume toggling and things were easy to understand for the most part. So again, while fairly standard there was nothing here to prohibit enjoyment while viewing.
Visual:
Audio:
Bonus Features:
Paramount did not add any bonus features for The Executioner’s Song. Surprisingly, there was no commentary or featurettes. The only thing that could qualify and this would be a seriously weak set of special features, would be the previews for other CBS/Paramount shows. On the preview list this time are Dexter, CSI (various cities), Criminal Minds, and Twin Peaks.
Bonus Features:
Bottom Line:
The Executioner’s Song is not the best television movie that you will ever see, but it is definitely worth watching. I would have liked to see the longer version as I am sure that had more to offer, but in it’s current state it still offers excellent acting and a compelling story that is just shocking in so many ways. Fans of true crime, drama, and obsession based relationships will find The Executioner’s Song enjoyable to watch. This one comes highly recommended.
Overall Rating:
Technorati Tags: Tommy Lee Jones, Christine Lahti, Rosanna Arquette, Eli Wallach, Steven Keats, Jordan Clarke, Richard Venture, Norman Mailer, The Executioner’s Song, Director’s Cut, DVD Review, DVD, Gary Gilmore, Nicole Baker, Nicole Baker Barrett
---------------------
Written by Ashtyn - Visit Website
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ashtyn Evans is a writer, advocate, free thinker, and all around cynical person. Always quick to find the negative in anything pop culture, she loves being a part of that which she despises. Ashtyn and Dominick own numerous blogs together, as well as a full-time writing business. In her spare time she is a full-time college student studying History and Psychology. She plans to one day give up her freelance career and be a full-time blogger, novelist, and domestic goddess. She can be contacted for writing projects, fan mail, or just to say hi. She really is friendlier than we make her look.
